Tag: Martha Cooper

Street art duo Os Gemeos were tasked with painting the ticket booth for MOCA’s Art in the Streets exhibition a couple weeks ago. After painting the booth, they decided to take their mission a step further and build a miniature subway car sculpture to place on top of it.

Martha Cooper of 12ozProphet and Subway Art fame documented the construction of this piece on her blog.

Well known subway writer REAS painted one side of it.

And famed graffiti writer and Subway Art veteran Blade was also on hand to paint a piece on the other side of the car.

All photos by Martha Cooper. Check out the rest of her photos from MOCA on 12ozProphet.

For this week’s Tuesday Tag, let’s talk about SURE and FAUST—graffiti writers whose tags appear next to each other so often that they are often mistaken for one person. The two were originally drawn to each other because of how much they had in common—stylistically and beyond—and met in 2001 through mutual friends. In the years to come, they had become a duo; they drew upon the same influences, developed related styles and hit the streets together.

SURE and FAUST are well known for their sticker work (which can be found on just about any Manhattan street if you are looking for them) and their distinctive handstyles.

“Often times on the street, one of us will write both names while the other looks out so a lot of the time they are done by the same person.” -FAUST in Martha Cooper’s book Name Tagging.

In December 2010, FAUST announced tragic news on the Brooklyn Street Art blog—the passing of his partner in crime and close friend SURE.

From the post on Brooklyn Street Art:

Last night he was killed in Afghanistan where he was stationed as an Intelligence Officer in the United States Marine Corps. Sure was born and bred in Brooklyn and recognized for his exceptional handstyle which brought together elements of classic New York graffiti with ornamental calligraphy. His script signatures could be found throughout the city and were a major influence on myself and countless others.

Many prominent writers paid tribute to SURE, like in this piece by SMART Crew.

“Sure was like a brother to me. He was my partner-in-crime and my best friend. I am grateful for the time we had and that everywhere I go in New York City I see his name and know that his presence will be felt by many long after his passing”.